Kenya: Off The Beaten Track Holiday

Tailored from $9,900 per person excl. flights

Discover the untamed regions of Kenya away from the herd

Get off the beaten track and discover a different side of Kenya in an intimate surrounding. This unique itinerary combines safari classics with unique wildlife conversation and cultural experiences.

You'll begin your journey in Laikipia, the home of breathtaking scenery, special wildlife interactions and extraordinarily dedicated conservationists, working tirelessly to preserve the future of the Kenyan bush.

Your next stop will be Samburuland, where you'll have the chance to interact with one of Africa's most colourful and charismatic tribes.

Marvel at the changing landscape as you drive north towards the Sera Conservancy, where you'll experience a brand new rhino tracking experience.

Finally, you'll fly south to the Africa's most iconic safari destination, the Masai Mara, where you'll experience exhilarating safaris in search of the 'Big 5'.

Your luxury Off the Beaten Track Kenya Holiday will blow you away with unique, magical experiences in the untamed corners of Kenya.

Trip Itinerary

Days 1-3: Laikipia

Day 1 - Transfer from Nairobi to Laikipia

Upon arrival into Nairobi international airport, you will be met by a Wayfairer representative who will escort you through immigration, customs and baggage. You will then be driven to the domestic airport in time to board a light aircraft flight to Nanyuki. Your light aircraft flight is an experience in itself and you will have amazing views as you fly up towards the Laikipia Plateau.

Upon your arrival, you will be met by your guide and driven to your first campsite to start your camel trekking safari. This three day camel experience is a fantastic introduction to the Kenyan bush and a chance to get up close and personal with a huge variety of wildlife. You will dine and sleep under the stars in what is one of Africa's most unique safari experiences.

Day 2 - Camel safari experience

Each day is different on this walking camel safari experience and you will be amazed by how much more you see when on foot. Your guides are extremely professional and will ensure you are safe and well informed throughout the safari. The camels will carry your bags ahead with some staff, in order to set up your camp for the night, but one camel will always be held back in case someone wants a break from walking.

Day 3 - Camel safari experience

You'll spend your days roaming through rich Acacia bushland, stopping off at rocky pools and climbing kopjes for the ultimate sundowner. If you are lucky, you will get the chance to see the unique wildlife of the region. Not only will you see the crowd favourites - elephants, lions, leopards and giraffes - but you'll also have the chance to see honey badgers, wild dog, oryx, and a stunning cacophony of bird life.

Days 4-5: Samburuland

Day 4 - Transfer from Laikipia to Samburu

Today you will wave goodbye to your guides and the camels before being driven towards the north of Kenya. Gaze out your window and watch the landscape change around you as you enter the driest region in the country. This is the home of the Samburu tribe, also known as 'the butterfly people', due to the fantastic colours in their traditional dress. You'll stay in spectacular accommodation in this big game region, where leopard sightings are common in the rocky outcrops surrounding the lodges. You'll also be situated near the Ewaso Nyiro river, home to some of Africa's most approachable elephants.

Day 5 - On safari in Samburu

You'll have an early start this morning to get a glimpse of the magnificent Mt Ololokwe at sunrise, before heading off for an early morning game drive and picnic breakfast. After your game drive, you can lounge in your pool or gorgeous villa, before tucking in to a delicious lunch prepared by expertly trained chefs. The afternoon is yours to enjoy and you may like to head out on another safari activity, or simply take a relaxing afternoon nap. As evening falls, you can enjoy a stunning sundowner and go on a night game drive to spot the region's nocturnal wildlife.

Days 6-7: Sera Conservancy

Day 6 - Transfer from Samburu to Sera

This morning you will be driven further north by your guide, to the Sera Conservancy, home to Kenya's hottest new property, the Saruni Rhino. Sera has only just opened up to tourists due to some amazing work by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) and Saruni Lodges. The rhino were moved into the conservancy as part of a huge relocation project and Saruni now offers the only 'rhino tracking' experience in East Africa, and it's a truly incredible addition to your off the beaten track Kenya holiday.

Day 7 - Rhino tracking

Embark on a thrilling experience tracking the endangered black rhino foot, accompanied by expert Saruni guides and a transmitter that can locate the 11 rhinos throughout the 54,000-hectare conservancy. You'll be within metres of the grazing rhinos in this unforgettable experience.

You'll also have the opportunity to spot an abundance of other wildlife including the 'Samburu specials', the oryx, ostrich, gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, and the reticulated giraffe. There conservancy is also home to elephants, antelope, buffalo and a chorus of birdlife.

Take a visit to the Singing Wells for a very special cultural experience. You'll witness the Samburu warriors calling their cattle to water by singing traditional, rhythmic songs.

Your spectacular accommodation is extremely exclusive, offering sumptuous food and service, along with an elegant lounge area and stunning suites overlooking the stunning bushland.

Days 8-10: Masai Mara

Day 8 - Transfer from Sera to Masai Mara

This morning you will enjoy a final breakfast in the Sera before flying to Kenya's world famous Masai Mara. On your arrival you'll be transferred to the camp in time for lunch, and you can spend the afternoon relaxing in the lavish camp and soaking up the spectacular views over the plains. Head out on an afternoon game drive before returning for drinks around a campfire and a sumptuous dinner.

You'll be staying in an incredible camp with luxury canvas tents, chosen to give you a fully immersive experience within the Masai Mara bushland while also enjoying supreme comfort and luxury.

Day 9 - On safari in the Masai Mara

Enjoy your first full day on safari in the iconic Masai Mara, one of the most revered national reserves in all of Africa to see the 'Big 5' and spectacular scenery. You'll head off on an exhilarating safari through vast rolling plains strewn with acacia trees and wildlife. It's the perfect destination to round out your luxury Kenya safari.

Day 10 - On safari in the Masai Mara

Another full day on safari in the unparalleled Masai Mara. You can enjoy a range of activities including shared day game drives and nature walks, or we can arrange for private use of safari vehicles. You can head out on night game drives to spot nocturnal wildlife such as genets, servals ad aardvarks. We can also arrange for you to finish your luxury Kenya holiday on a truly spectacular note with a hot air balloon safari over the striking Masai Mara plains.

Day 11: Depart from Masai Mara

Day 11 - Depart from Masai Mara

This morning you will enjoy a final sunrise and breakfast in the breathtaking Masai Mara, before being driven to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi's domestic airport. You will then be transferred across town to Nairobi's international airport in time for your flight home. We can arrange for you to be driven to our favourite restaurant in Nairobi, if you have some time to wait before flying home.

Your Off the Beaten Track Kenya holiday has sadly come to an end, but we're sure you'll be leaving with many special memories and stories about the wildlife, people and landscapes of beautiful Kenya. You've had a truly unique east Africa experience - where will you get off the beaten track next?

Accommodation

Saruni Samburu

Saruni Samburu lies within the Girgir Group Ranch in Samburu land, at the heart of the Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy.

Kenya Travel Inspiration

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL GUIDE: KENYA

KENYA'S MASAI MARA

LUXURY TRAVEL IN KENYA

A TYPICAL DAY ON SAFARI IN KENYA

WAYFAIRER TRAVEL GUIDE: KENYA

RECOMMENDED READING: KENYA

Why Wayfairer

Wayfairer ensures your Kenya experiences and accommodations are not only first class luxury, but are committed to sustainable and responsible practices.

In Northern Kenya, we have chosen to work with the Northern Rangelands Trust. NRT have changed the future of Kenya's tourism by regulating the impact of tourism on the area and creating wildlife corridors and community driven conservancies.

We also work with the private conservancies outside the main Masai Mara Reserve as they are wonderfully dedicated to working with the local Masaai communities, managing the conflict between humans and wildlife, and creating a more personal safari experience.